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“Keir is a very honest and direct man,” he told her in hushed tones, “while Kenna likes to play games and keep secrets. They’re simply not suited to one another.”
“Has he ever… shown interest in her?” Kate could not stop herself from asking, her pulse once more picking up as she waited for Eoghan’s reply.
Eoghan’s gaze was watchful as it lingered upon her, then briefly darted to Sarah before returning to her. “He has not.”
A heavy weight lifted off Kate’s shoulders, and suddenly she felt like she could breathe again.
Chapter Thirty-One
UPON THE BEACH
The sun shone brightly overhead, and there was a touch of warmth in the air as they headed down toward the beach. Sarah and Kate walked arm in arm as Eoghan followed a few steps behind, Frederica asleep upon his shoulder. The girls had raced ahead and were now, near the water’s edge, trying their best to entice Faerie into a game. The pup, however, seemed more interested in following Loki around, who tried his utmost to discourage the canine with an occasional hiss and a well-aimed swipe in the little pup’s direction.
“He is wonderful with her, is he not?” Sarah inquired, casting a glance across her shoulder at Eoghan and Frederica. “She seems utterly content in his arms.”
Kate exhaled a deep breath. “I know,” she whispered, tugging Sarah closer so she could hear. “Truly, I do not doubt him. He is wonderful with her, and I believe… I’m beginning to relax. It is not as hard for me to hand her over as it was in the beginning.” An almost shy, deeply self-conscious smile teased Kate’s lips. “Somehow, Eoghan… he puts me at ease.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” Sarah replied with a smile, relieved to see Kate settling in, to see the sister she had once known peek through more often these days. Sarah also liked that wistful expression Eoghan seemed to have inspired.Interesting!
“And what of you?” Kate inquired; her green gaze slightly narrowed as she looked into Sarah’s face with the practiced eyes of a sister. “You’ve seen the way Kenna always hovers around Keir, have you not?”
Her sister’s words felt like a punch to the stomach, and Sarah cringed. “I have,” was all she could manage in that moment.
“And it worries you,” Kate observed simply. “You no longer look as hopeful and… mesmerized as you did in the beginning.”
Wanting to weep, Sarah shrugged her shoulders. “This is a beautiful place full of wonderful people,” she exclaimed as loudly as she dared without attracting Eoghan’s attention. “I should be happy here. Iwantto be happy here. Yet, lately, I cannot help but wonder if this is truly the place I’m supposed to be. I cannot help but wonder if Keir even intends for us to stay, for me to stay.”
Kate nodded, sorrow in her eyes. “Sometimes things are not what they seem,” she whispered, and Sarah could see that her sister’s thoughts drifted back to her old life, her husband. She closed her eyes briefly, and then shook her head, determinedly ridding herself of these thoughts. “You should speak to him. You cannot know what is in his heart unless you ask him.”
Of course, Sarah knew Kate was right, and yet the thought of confronting Keir made her knees go weak. What if he told her that returning home had made him realize he belonged with Kenna? Safe or not, Sarah knew she could not stay here if Keir were to choose Kenna.
As though her thoughts had conjured them, Keir came walking toward them from the opposite side of the beach, Kenna beside him, her hand upon his arm, their heads bent toward one another. Words passed between them, and more than anything Sarah wanted to know what was being said. Were they whispering words of love? Reminiscing about the old days? Or was it something simple and far from noteworthy?
“Eoghan said that Kenna and Keir would not make a good match,” Kate remarked, disapproval heavy in her voice. “He told me she fancies him, but that Keir has shown no interest in her.”
As far as he knows, Sarah thought to herself, wondering if Eoghan could know all that went on between Keir and Kenna. Perhaps there had been secret moments, a kiss shared here and there. Who knew?
All of a sudden, Sarah could not shake the image of Keir kissing Kenna the way he had kissed her, Sarah, and she pictured them sharing the same precious moments.Am I special to him? Or is it foolish of me to believe so?
‘Why would he want you if he can have another?’ Her mother’s voice snapped in her head, seizing this moment of weakness. ‘Not even a barbarian like that man would want you after what you’ve done. It is precisely what you deserve.’
Sarah closed her eyes, wishing she could simply disappear into thin air.
* * *
Keir was relieved when Bonnie dragged Kenna away, demanding she help them gather seashells, for his thoughts were with Sarah. Again, her face looked overshadowed, and he knew he could not wait any longer to find out what burdened her.
As he moved to approach her, Eoghan stepped into his path, Frederica once more in his arms. “Ye need to speak to her, and ye need to do it right now.” His green eyes shone with insistence, his jaw set, the usual humor gone from his face.
Keir paused. “’Tis precisely what I had in mind.” Then he frowned. “What do ye know?”
Eoghan scoffed. “’Twould seem that ye’re a fool.” He shook his head at Keir. “Ye’ve spent a lot of time with Kenna lately.”
Keir shrugged. “She said she… We were only talking and… It doesna mean that—” He stared at his friend as realization slowly dawned on him.
Eoghan’s brows rose in challenge. “Is that so?”
“She’s like a sister to me. Ye know that.”
